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After knitting my first sweater, I was hooked to knitting. I like having a portable project when I watch movies at home (right now watching Outlander). I found knitwear designer, michiyo’s book at a local library and immediately liked every piece in her book. From many patterns, I picked “see through pull over” in this book. As you can see, it is very straight forward. The first few rows of bodice and sleeves are rib, and the rest are all knitted in knit in round. It has a sheer effect as the pullover goes close to the shoulders since it is knitted in thicker needles. I think the sheer effect would show more if I wear a contrasting color underneath.I started this project in mid November, so it took about three months to complete. I found the Japanese knitting patterns so much easier to follow as they have many graphics. I used 80 grams of Hamanaka Mohair. I bought them in this app called Mercari where you can buy and sell pretty much anything. Sometimes you can find fun stuff in craft supply section.The patterns for the white pants are Ginger jeans from Closet Case Files.I knitted two sleeves at the same time, using the method I learned from this Japanese book(輪針でニット びっくり！楽しい「輪針」の使い方). At first it was awkward to knit and I was afraid that it would leave big holes, but at the end it was not very noticeable. It was great to be able to finish two sleeve pieces at the same time. michiyoさんの「じっくり編んで永く愛せるニットのふだん着」から、シースループルオーバーを作りました。
michiyoさんのパターン、好きです。
他にも作りたいものがいっぱいの本でした。
「部活」として編み物のmeet upもやってるみたいなのでいつか参加したいと思っています。

I’m a complete novice when it comes to knitting, but I could not resist starting a project after looking at so many fun instagram photos of beautifully knitted projects (@kniting_inspiration, @brooklyntweed, @woolandthegang). I started this Brooklyn Tweed Hudson twisted rib turtleneck in the mid Summer to take to my Summer trips in Karuizawa and Atami. I finished it in December so it took five months. I have some experience knitting with circular needles (hat) but this was my first time knitting a sweater. This turtleneck is constructed by knitting the bodice and sleeves separately and then connecting them at the shoulder finishing at the neckline. Making the bodice and sleeves were pretty straightforward; however, joining them all together and at the same time decreasing the stitches was not. I just could not understand the pattern at that point and repeated the process 3 times. By the fourth attempt, I was so exhausted that I gave up on following the patterns all together. That is why the neckline is shaped in a weird asymmetrical way.Thankfully the yarns I used were navy blue which is very close to black, so it is hard to notice the mistakes. Or at least I’m hoping so. I got the yarn in Yuzawaya Shinjuku at the end of last Winter when they were doing massive store closing sale. This yarn is a mix of wool and cashmere. It’s pretty warm when wearing with my polkadot archer button up.This knitted clutch was made by my friend. She gave me the knitted piece and asked me to just put it together myself since she knew I sewed. I added a zipper at top and lined it with printed corduroy. Also added a piece of plastic at the bottom so the clutch won’t sag when I put a lot of stuff in.I’ve already started my second sweater project. This time I’m using a Japanese pattern from michiyo. Japanese knitting books provide graphics (figures?) for the patterns, so I’m hoping the neck shaping will go easier this time. I’m making it with pink mohair. More to come! 初めてのセーターを作りました。
型紙はBrooklyn TweedのHudson。
日本の編み図と違って、図がなく、全てが文章で書かれているのでかなり戸惑いました。
下から胴と袖を別々に編んで、肩からラグランスリーブとして繋げていくタイプ。
胴、袖2つのパーツは割と問題なく編めましたが3つを繋げて目を減らしていくところが本当にわからず、なんかネックラインの仕上がりがおかしいです😢
3回やり直してもまだわからなかったので、取りあえず編み進めて終わらせました。
濃い紺色の毛糸なので網目の間違いが分かりずらくて良かった。
8月から編み始め、12月にやっと出来上がりました。

The Spring weather has been moody here in Tokyo. One day it’s 25 degrees and beautiful but other days it’s raining and freezing. I finished this cable knit hat just in time to get a few wears before the Spring weather fully hits. I started on this hat in mid March and worked on and off for a while, while I watched some shows. I just finished the Pillar of the Earth, British historical show that takes place in 12th century England. The show completes in eight episodes, which is great for avoiding addiction and emotional attachment.

The pattern is from The Purl Bee, called Traveling Cable Hat. It was very easy to follow and kept me entertained throughout the process. As a knitting beginner, I tend to go for very simple patterns (here and here), like only rib and knit stitches or only purl stitches kind of patterns. The problem I found with those patterns is that it is rather boring. Cable knit was more time consuming, but you are constantly looking back the pattern and instructions, you don’t have time to get bored!

The yarns are from 100 yen shop (an equivalent of a dollar store). It’s a mint color wool and acrylic mix and is very soft. I used three bolls of 20 gram yarns.

I thought I would like the color and I do, but being so near my face, I feel like the color is too strong. I tend to wear a lot of neutral colors in Winter, so I thought the pop of color might be good, but it feels so bright on my head! If you are a neutral color lover, do you feel weird about wearing bright color as much as me?

I know the cold weather is nearly ending, but I think I’ll keep my knitting going. It’s such a nice activity to be doing while watching TV or talking on the couch. My next project will be Ondawa sweater by Brooklyn Tweed. Sonja‘s version is great; it convinced me to finally try my hands on bigger knitting project like sweater!